Surveying instrument.



PATENTED APR. 14, 1903.

G. M. GOUYARD.

SURVEYING INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l i I N0 MODEL.

PATENTED APR. 14, 1908.

G. M. GOUYARD.

SURVEYING INSTRUMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 27, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

.lllilllllll illllllLll UNITED STATES? PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAVE M. GOUYARD, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

SURVEYING INSTRUMENT.

$PEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 725,073, dated April14, 1903.

Application filed May 27,1902. $erial No. 109,194. No model.)

' To all whom, it may concern;

to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accarrying the needle andlevels, the said gradus companying drawings, and to the letters ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in surveying instruments, andparticularly to that class of instruments adapted for use in surveyingand in mining and other engineering work.

The object of the invention is to provide an instrument of thischaracter which is provided with a graduated circle-plate in hingedengagement with the body portion or that part ated circleplate whenswung back to the limit of its movement being designed to stand at anangle of exactly ninety degrees to the main portion of the instrument,which is secured upon the usual tripod. i

The graduated circle-plate is provided with a revoluble ring to whichare secured the sights, and when the said plate is swung back theinstrument-is adapted for ascertaining vertical angles and variationsthereof, while when the plate is in its closed or horizontal positionthe instrument is adapted for ascertaining horizontal angles andvariations thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved needle-lifterby which the needle may be lifted from its pivot, raised in a truevertical position, and clamped against the under side of the innergraduated circleplate; so that an accurate reading may be had or so thatthe needle may be held immovable when'the instrument is being carriedfrom place to place:

The invention further consists in the novel arrangement and combinationof parts, as will be set forth in the accompanying specification andclaims.

fully hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is V a perspective vie'w'of theimproved surveying instrument, one of the sight-arms being in aninoperative or horizontal position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.gitudinal vertical sectional' view, the hinged plate carrying'therevoluble ring and sightarms being shown raised in dotted lines. Fig. 4is a bottom plan view of the surveying instru ment, and Fig. 5 is aperspective view of the compass-needle used in connection with thisdevice.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A refers to acircular metallic plate which forms the base or bottom of the surveyinginstrument. To this plate is secured by screws 0. a ring B, the outerdiameter of which is the same as that of the plate A. The opening orbore 19 of this ring forms a housing for a magnetic needle E, as willmore The metal surrounding the bore 1) is extended vertically a suitabledistance, and the outer periphery of this extended portion 19 tapers oris conical, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. An annular shoulder 11 isformed in the upper part of the extension 19 upon which rests theordinary protecting glass or crystal 0, the said crystal being retainedagainst accidental displace ment by a circular expansion-spring D, whichrests upon the said crystal and impinges laterally against the metalsurrounding the same. From the annular shoulder 19 extends a conical ortapered bore 17 which opens into the main bore or housing 19. Theperiphery of the bore Z9 is marked off into three hundred and sixtydegrees, (360,) and the lower portion, or that communicating with themain bore or housing I), being of less diameter than the said housingforms an inwardly-projecting annular lip b beneath which the ends of theneedle E move and against which the said needle is clamped, as will nowbe fully set forth.

Fig.3 is a 1on-" ICC . as the same is clamped.

disk F is provided at equidistant points with vertical apertures,preferably three, through which extend pins 0. which are rigidly securedin the base-plate A. These pins a form guides which limit the disk F toa true vertical movement, as will be shown. The periphery of the disk iscut away at one point, as shown atf, so as to form an opening whichleads into the hollow interior of the said disk,

and through this opening passes one end of a' spring-arm G, which end isprovided either with a slot or an elongated holeg, which surrounds thepin 6. The other end of this spring-arm enters a notch in .the peripheryof the housing I), where it is securely clamped by a screw 9 whichpasses through the baseplate A. Beneath the spring-arm Grand aboutcentrally of its length the base-plate is provided with a threadedaperture h, which receives the shank of a thumb-screw H. The end of thisscrew II has a threaded bore which receives the shank of a small screw712, having a head. which is wider than the diameter of the shank of thesaid screw H, and the head of screw 71, forms a stop which prevents thescrew H from becoming detached from the base-plate A. The head of thescrew 72. normally lies within a countersink h in the upper face of thebase-plate, so as to be fiush with the said face and out of contact withthe spring-arm G; but when the screw H is turned the free end ofspring-arm G will be forced upward, carrying with it the disk F, whichis guided by'the pins a so as to move in a true vertical direcction, andthe said disk will contact with the under side of needle E, lift thesame, and clamp its ends against the lip 19 By this means an accuratereading of the compass may be had, as the needle is lifted verticallyand clamped in the exact position at which it ceased to vibrate. Theneedle is clamped in like manner when the surveying instrument iscarried from place to place, as will be understood.

The needle E is of the form shown in Fig. 5 and is provided at each endwith a head e which is of greater width than the body of the needle.These heads e are perfectly flat on their upper sides and are designedto contact with the lip 12 as the needle is lifted, thus forming abearing-surface which will prevent the needle from moving or turning Atthe point of union of each head 6 with the needle E the upper side ofsaid needle is brought to a knife-edge 6 which extends a short distancefrom the head of the needle and then gradually broadens out, as shown.When the use dle is clamped, an exact reading may be had, as theknife-edges will determine the slightest fraction of the degree at whichthe needle stands. Secured to one side of the ring B by screws 1} is ablock I, having on its upper side hinge-ears P, by which the said blockis hinged to a second block J by means of a pintlej.

The block J is secured by screws j to a ring K, which rests upon and isof the same diani-' eter as ring B, the inner periphery of this ring Kbeing conical or tapered, as shown, so as to closely fit the conicalprojection 19 of the said ring B.

In the upper side of the ring K is formed an annular groove or channelin which lies an ordinary revoluble ring it, which is retained in thesaid channel by an outer ring ma'nd an inner graduated ring a, but whichpermit the revoluble ring to slide in the said channel at the will ofthe operator.

At two diametrically opposite points on the revoluble ring a block 0 issecured by screws, as shown, the said blocks each being provided with apair of cars 0, between which is hinged an ordinary sight P, each sightbeing provided with a peep-hole and cross-wires, the peep-hole in onesight being on a level with the cross-wires in the other arm, as will beunderstood. When not in use, these sights P are folded down (dottedlines, Fig. 3) and lie horizontally, so as to be out of the way; butwhen the instrument is in operation the sights are raised to a verticalposition and are prevented moving past a vertical line by contacting attheir lower ends with the vertical faces of the blocks 0 between theears 0. In this position the surveying instrument is used to ascertainhorizontal angles and Variations thereof, the revoluble ring to whichthe sights are secured being moved to meet the requirements of the case;but when it is desired to ascertain vertical angles and variationsthereof the ring K isswung on its hinge to a vertical position, when thehinge-block J will rest squarely upon the hinge-block I, and the meetingfaces of these blocks are so perfectly trued that the ring K will standat an angle of exactly ninety degrees to a horizontal plane. The sightsare employed as before jand the revoluble ring may be turned to anyrequired angle.

The base-plate A is provided with a pair of ordinary levels orbubble-tubes A which are set at right angles to each other and which;will determine when the surveying instrument has been adjusted tolie onahorizonta-l plane.

A circular lug A having a threaded bore a is secured centrally to theunder side of 1 the base-plate A, and by this means the surveyinginstrument is secured upon an ordinary tripod, as will be fullyunderstood.

The improved surveying instrument herein described is not only simple inconstruction, but when properly adjusted and manipulated is capable ofthe most accurate results. The hinged ring carrying the revoluble ringand sights is a great improvement over the instruments now in use, aswhen the surveying instrument has been adjusted for ascertaininghorizontal angles it is only necessary to raise the said ring to avertical position, when vertical angles may be taken without readjustingthe instrument or interfering with the needle.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A surveying instrument of the character described, consisting of abody portion having a needle-chamber, a magnetic needle poised in saidchamber, and means for raising the same vertically and clamping it in afixed position; a degree-circle located in the top of said chamber abovethe said needle and bubble-tubes located in the bottom thereof; a ringwhich normally rests upon the said body portion and is hinged thereto soas to be capable of a vertical, as well as a horizontal position, thesaid ring carrying a degree-circle, and a revoluble ring having sightssecured thereto; and means for limiting the ring, when raised to a truevertical position, substantially as shown. I

2. Inasurveyinginstrument,abodyportion having a needle-chamber;bubble-tubes locatedin the bottom of said chamber, and a degreecircle inthe form of an inwardly-projecting annular rim located at thetopthereof;

a magnetic needle, the ends of which lie beneath the said rim, and meansfor raising the said needle vertically and clamping it against the saidrim; a ring hinged upon the upper side of the said body portion, thesaid ring being provided with a degree-circle, and with a revoluble ringto which is secured a pair of folding sights, means being employed forlimiting the ring, when raised, to a vertical position; and means forsecuring the surveying instrument toatripod,substantially as shown.

3. In a surveying instrument, the combination of a body portion having aneedle-chamber, at the top of which is a degree-circle in the form of aninwardly-projecting annular rim; a needle, each end of which is formedintoahead whichlies directly beneath-the said annular rim; a diskcentrally beneath said needle, and means for raising the said disk so asto lift the said needle from its pivot and clamp its headed ends againstthe annular rim; a ring in hinged engagement with said body portion, thesaid ring being provided on its upper facewith a degree-circle and witha revoluble ring to which is secured a pair of hinged sights, and withmeans for limitingits upward movement to a true vertical position;bubble-tubes carried by the bodyportion and a lug having a threaded boresecured centrally upon the bottom of said body portion, by which thesurveying instrument may be attached to a tripod, substantially asshown.

4. In a surveying instrument, a circular body portion having aconcentric projecting member of less diameter than the body portion, theperiphery of which is conical; a ring in hinged engagement with the bodyportion, the inner periphery of which is conical so as to fit upon theconical member of the said body portion, the said ring being providedwith a degree-circle, and with a revoluble ring upon which is secured apair of hinged sights; a

needle-chamber formed in the bodyportion,

having at its upper end an inwardly-projecting annular rim which forms adegree-circle; a needle having headed ends which lie beneath the annularrim, and means for lifting said needle so that its ends will be clampedagainst the said rim; bubble-tubes carried by the body portion, andmeans, as a threaded lug upon the under side of the body portion forattaching the surveying instrument to a tripod, substantially as shown.

5. In a surveying instrument,a body portion having a circular, raisedmember of less diameter than the body portion, the periphery of which isconical, a circular chamber which is surrounded by said conical raisedmember; a degree-circle at the top of said chamber in the form of aninwardly-projecting annular rim; a pivot-pin secured. centrally in thebottom of said chamber, a plurality of guide-pins secured around saidpivot-pin, and concentric therewith; a disk having vertical holesthrough which the guide-pins and pivot-pins pass; a magnetic needlepoised upon the pivotpin, and so as to be slightly above the disk, saidneedle having headed ends which lie beneath the annular rim; aspring-arm, one end of which engages the said disk, a thumb-screw in thebottom of the body portion beneath the said spring-arm, by which the armand disk are raised to lift the needle from its pivot and clamp the sameagainst the annular rim; a ring hinged to the body portion, the innerperiphery of which is conical so as to lie around the raised member ofsaid body portion, the

said ring having a degree-circle, and a revoluble ring to which issecured a pair of hinged sights, and being designed when raised, to

stand at an angle of ninety degrees to a horiof hinged sights; adegree-circle which forms a projecting annular rim at the top of theneedle-chamber; a needle, the ends of which are provided with headswhich lie beneath the said rim; and means, as a disk, a spring-arm, anda thumb-screw for raisingthe said needle, and clamping its headed endsagainst the annular rim, substantiallyas shown.

7. The combination with a surveying instru ment comprising a bodyportion having a needle-chamber, with-an inwardly-extendingdegree-circle at its upper end, and a hinged memberin the form of a ringhaving adegreecircle,and a revoluble ring to which is attached a pair ofsights; of a magnetic'needle having a laterally-projecting head at eachend, ad-

joining which the upper edge of the said needle is reduced in thicknessto form a knifeedge and means for raising said needle from its pivot,and clamping its heads against the under side of the degree-circle,consisting of a vertically-movable disk, a spring-arm engaging said diskand a thumb-screw for raising said arm and disk, substantially as shown.

8. The combination with a surveying instrument comprising a body portionhaving a needle-chamber with an inwardly-extending degree-circle at itsupper end; a needle having a laterally-extending head at each end;adjoining which the thickness of the needle is reduced to a knife-edge,the said heads lying immediately beneath the said degree-circle; and ahinged member in the form of a ring having a degree-circle and arevoluble ring to which is attached a pair of sights; of a lifter forsaid, needle consisting of a vertically-movable disk immediately beneaththe needle, a spring-arm, one end of which engages the said disk, whilethe other end is stationary, and a screw which enters theneodle-chamberbeneath the spring-arm and is adapted to contact with thesaid arm, the said screw being retained against accidental displacementby receiving in its upper end, a screw whose head is of greater diameterthan the shank of the aforesaid screw, substantially as shown.

9. In a surveying instrument, a magnetic needle having a head portion ateach end, the top surfaces of which are perfectly fiat and in alinementwith each other, substantially as described.

10. In a surveying instrument, a magnetic needle having a head portionat its opposite ends provided with perfectly flat surfaces in perfectalinement, and a knife-edge portion adjacent to'said head portions,substantially as described. 7

11. In a surveying instrument, a suitable needle-chamber, a magneticneedle operatively mounted in said chamber, an introverted circularportion at the top portion of said needle-chamber arranged to extendover the ends of said needle and provided with a graduated, diverging,conical surface extending to the edge of said introverted circularportion, enlarged head portions on the opposite ends of said needleprovided with flat, true surfaces on their upper ends arranged inalinement, a knife-edge portion on said needle adjacent to each of saidenlarged head portions, and means for raising said needle against saidintroverted circular portion of said chamber, whereby its head portionsare clamped against the under side of said introverted portion of saidchamber and the sharp edges of its knife-edge portions register againstthe ends of. the graduations of said diverging circular, conical portionof said needle-chamber, substantially as described.

12. In a surveying instrument, the combi-v nation with a suitableneedle-chamber, a pivotal pin axially secured in said chamber, a

plurality of pins surrounding said pivotal pin and arranged to extendvertically upward from the bottom of said needle-chamber, a magneticneedle operatively mounted on said needle, a disk loosely mounted onsaid pivotal pin and slidably mounted on said vertical pins between saidneedle and the bottom of said needle-chamber, and normally resting onthe bot-tom of said needle-chamber, and means including a thumb-screwfor raising said disk vertically to raise said needle from its pivotalpin, substantially as described.

13. In a surveying instrument, the combination with the needle-chamberand the pivotal needle-pin, of a magnetic needle operatively poisedwithin said chamber on said pivotal pin, pins adjacent to the pivotalneedlepin extending vertically upward from the bottom of said chamber, adisk mounted loosely on said needle-pin and slidably on said pins, ahollow chamber in said disk, a spring-blade secured at one end to thebottom of said chamber having its opposite end arranged to extend intothe chamber of said disk and surround loosely said needle-pin and engagethe top of the chamber of said disk, and arranged with a resilienttension to normally hold said spring-blade in a position of disuse, andmeans including a thumb-screw attached to the bottom of said chamber andto an introverted portion at the top of said chamber above said needleand overhanging its ends for raising said spring-blade and said disk andalso said needle from said needles pivotal pin, and to lock said needlein a position of disuse against the introverted portion of said chamberabove said needle, substan-- tially as described.

14. In a surveying instrument, the combination with a magnetic-needlechamber having an integral floor portion and an overhanging orintroverted circular portion forming a flat roof portion at the top ofthe chamber on its under side, and a pivotal needlepin secured at itsaxial center, of a magnetic needle operatively. mounted on said pivotalpin having its opposite ends extend under said introverted portion ofsaid chamber, an-

enlarged end portion at each end of said needle having their uppersurfaces flat and level and in alinement with each other, a knifeedgeportion adjacent to said enlarged end portions having their sharp edgesuppermost and arranged to register with the inner peripheral edge ofsaid chambers introverted portion, and means including a slidable sleeveloosely mounted on said pivotal pin and spring-controlled in onedirection of its movement for vertically raising said needle from saidpivotal pin and looking it against the under side of said introvertedportion of said needle-chamber, substantially as described.

15. In a surveying instrument, a suitable supporting-base provided witha needle-holding chamber having a circular degree-circle surroundingsaidchamber, a magnetic needle operatively mounted in said chamber, and aring and suitable peep-sights secured at 0pring mounted on said base tosurround conposite sides of said revoluble ring and arcentrically thesaid needle-chamber and deranged to swing from horizontal into exactly15 gree circle and pivotally hinged thereto to vertical positionsrelative to the plane of said 5 swing up into a vertical plane and meansinneedle-chamber and needle, substantially as cluding right-angledsurfaces connected to described.

said supporting-base and to said ring for de- In testimony whereof Iaifix my signature fining the swinging movement of said ring to inpresence of two Witnesses. a Vertical angle at exactly right angles tothe GUSTAVE M. GOUYARD. IO plane of said needle-chamber and needle, aWitnesses:

degree-circle in the top of said ring, a circu- G. SARGENT ELLIOTT,

lar rotatable revoluble ring in the top of said i BESSIE THOMPSON.

